Reclining-chair.



No. 822,059. PATENTED MAY 29, 1906. J. LANDAU. RBOLINING CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1905,

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/TNESSES: /NVEN 70/? W Wgfi 72 72 Landau ATTOHNE rs PATBNTED MAY 29, 1906.

ILLANDAU.

NING CHAIR.

x 211.21) sum-.20, 1905.

APPLIO N VE N 70/1 76/02 Zan daw' er I ATTORNEYS fill/rill!!! "UNITED STATES PA rENT OFFICE.

JOHN LANDAU, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO FERDINAND FRAAs' AND GEORGE O. MILLER, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

REGLlNlNG-CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1906.

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN LANDAU, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Reclining-Chair, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved reclining-chair arranged to allow the user to readily move the hinged back into an inclined position to suit the convenience of the user.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims. f

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement, showing the casing for the operating mechanism removed. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same, showing the parts of the operating mechanism in a different position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the operating mechanism for the hinged back, the section being on the line 3 3 of Fig. 5 and the parts being in a locked position. Fig. 4 is a like view of the same in an unlocked position. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the same on.-the line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a similar view of the same on the line 7 7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is an enlarged side elevation of the improvement, showing the casing for the operating mechanism in position on the chair; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the locking and unlocking catch, part of the button thereof being shown in section.

The reclining-chair illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 consists, essentially, of a seat-frame A, mounted on legs B, arm-rests C, and a back D, connected by hinges to the seat-frame A to allow of swinging the back D forward orbackward into a desired angular position rel ative to the seat-frame A. The back D is pivotally connected, preferably at each side, by a link F With an arm G, fixed to and depending from a bar H, mounted to slide lengthwise of the corresponding arm-rest C. The bar H slides in front and rear bearings O and I, depending from a plate 1 secured to the under side of the corresponding armrest 0.

The forward bearing I carries a transverse pin 1 extending in a longitudinal slot H, formed in the forward end of the sliding bar H, and the rear end of the latter travels on a friction-roller I journaled in the rear bearing 1, as plainly indicated. in Figs. 3, 4, and 6.

By the arrangement described the sliding bar H is free to slide easily in a longitudinal direction in the bearings I and I.

On the sliding bar H is coiled a spring J, abutting at its rear end against the rear bear ing I and pressing with its forward end on the arm G to move the sliding bar when unlocked in a forward direction, the spring being compressed when the operator seated in the chair leans with his back against the chairback D and swings the same in a rearward direction to give the desired rearward inclination to the back as the. links F, connected with the arms G, impart a rearward sliding motion to the bars H, thus compressing their springs. When the operator releases the back D of his weight, then the spring J in forcing the bar H forwardly causes the arm G and link F to impart a forward swinging motion to the back.

In order to lock the bar H against sliding motion in either direction and to release the bar whenever it is desired to change the inclination of the'back either forward or backward, the following locking and unlocking device is provided: On the under side of the forward end of the bar H are formed spaced notches H one of which is adapted to be engaged at a time by a pin K, projecting upwardly from the bottom of a catch K, mounted to slide vertically in the forward bearing I. A spring L is interposed between the bottom of the bearing I and the bottom of the catch K, so as to normally hold the catch in an up permost position for the pin K to snap into a notch H whenever the latter registers with the said pin. The catch K is provided with a vertically-elongated slot K through which extends the pin 1 so as to assist in guiding the catch in its up-and-down movement. The top of the spring-catch K is pivotally con nccted with a shank N, on which screws a button N, extending upwardly through a suitable Opening C, formed in the arm-rest- C, the top of the button N projecting a suitable distance above the top surface of the arm-rest O. For arm-rests C of different thicknesses the button N can be readily screwed up or down on its shank N to bring the upper end of the button the desired distance above the\top face of the arm-rest C.

When the user of the chair, seated on the seat-frame A, presses the button N, then a downward-sliding motion is given to the spring-catch K against the tension of the spring L to disengage the pin K from the corresponding notch H to unlock the bar H, and the operator by now pressing the back D rearwardly, as previously explained, gives the desired rearward inclination to the seatback, and when the operator releases the pressure against the back then the spring J forces the bar H forward to impart a forward inclination to the back D. As soon as the desired position of the back D is reached, either in a forward or backward inclination, the operator releases the pressure on the button N, so that the spring L imparts an upward-sliding motion to the catch K to engage the pin K with the adjacent notch H to lock the bar H against either forward or rearward. motion and in doing so locks the back D in the desired position.

The forward-sliding motion of the bar H is limited by a stop-plate 1", hinged to the plate I and abutting against forward uprights C forsupporting the corresponding arm-rest C, the said stop-plate Fbeing hinged to the plate I to allow of conveniently fitting the device on arm-rests C and uprights C standing at angles one to the other. (See dotted lines, Figs. 3 and 4.) A casing O is secured to the under side of the arm-rest C and is preferably employed to inclose the major portion of the bar H, its spring J, and the bearings I and I, as well as the locking and unlocking device. (See Figs. 6 and 8.)

In order to allow of fitting the operating mechanism described on chairs of different sizes and construction, I prefer to provide the forward end of each link F with spaced openings F, one of which is adapted to be engaged by a bolt G, held on the arm G, thus allowing attachment of the plate I and stopplate I to the arm-rest C and the uprights C as described, irrespective of the length of the seat A.

The friction-roller I is preferably covered with soft material, so as to reduce the noise of the sliding bar H to a minimum.

By having the button N extending above the arm-rest C, near the front end thereof, it is evident that the said button can be conveniently manipulated by a finger on the op erators hand when the operator is seated in the reclining-chair, and it is only necessary for the operator either to lean back on the back D or to lean forward to adjust the back D to the desired inclination after the bar H is unlocked by pressing the button N.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An operating mechanism for the back of a reclining-chair, comprising a notched bar mounted to slide longitudinally on the under side of the arm-rest of the chair, bearings in which said bar slides, a spring pressing the bar in a forward direction, and a locking and releasing device for the said bar, mounted on one of said bearings, and having a button ex tending to the top face of the arm-rest near the forward end thereof, to be within convenient reach of the operator, as set forth.

2. An operating mechanism for the back of a reclining-chair, comprising bearings adapted to be secured to the under side of the armrest of the chair, a notched bar mounted to slide lengthwise in said bearings, a spring pressing the bar in a forward direction, a link connecting the said bar with the hinged back of the reclining-chair, and a locking and releasing device for the said bar, consisting of a spring-pressed catch mounted to slide up and down in one of said bearings, and having a lug for engaging one of the notches on the said sliding bar and a button on the catch, extending through an opening in the arm-rest to the top thereof, to be within convenient reach of the user of the chair, as set forth.

3. An operating mechanism for the back of a reclining-chair, comprising depending bearings on the under side of the arm-rest of the chair, a notched bar mounted to slide lengthwise in said bearings, a spring pressing the bar in a forward direction, a link connecting the said bar with the hinged back of the re clining-chair, and a locking and releasing de vice for the said bar, consisting of a springpressed catch mounted to slide up and down in one of said bearings and having a lug for engaging one of the notches on the said sliding bar and a button on the catch, extending through an opening in the arm-rest to the top thereof, to be within convenient reach of the user of the chair, the said button being held vertically adjustable to fit different thicknesses of arm-rests, as set forth.

4. An operating mechanism for the hinged back of a reclining-chair, comprising a plate secured to the under side of the arm-rest of the reclining-chair, the plate being provided with depending bearings, a bar mounted to slide in the said bearings, lengthwise of the arm-rest and having spaced notches on the under side, a link connecting the bar with the said hinged back, a spring pressing the bar in a forward direction, and a locking and releasing device for the said bar, mounted on one of the bearings, to engage one of the notches in the said bar, the said device having a button extending through an opening in the armrest to the top thereof, as set forth.

5. An operating mechanism for the hinged back of a reclining-chair, comprising a plate ITS 6. An operating mechanism for the hinged back of a reclining-chair, comprising a plate adapted to be secured to the under side of the arm-rest of the reclining-chair, a stop-plate hinged to the forward end of the said plate and adapted to be fastened to the front upright for the arm-rest, bearings depending from the said plate, a bar mounted to slide in bearings, lengthwise of the arm-rest and adapted to abut against said stop-plate, a

link connecting the said bar with the hinged back, a spring pressing the bar in a forward direction, and a locking and releasing device for the said bar, mounted on one of the bearings, to engage one of a series of notches in the said bar, the said device having a button extending through an opening in the armrest to the top thereof, as set forth.

7, An operating mechanism for the back of a reclining-chair, comprising bearings on the under side of the arm-rests for the chair, the rear bearing carrying a friction-roller in its bottom and the forward bearing carrying a transverse pin, a bar having an elongated slot in its forward end, through which extends the said pin, the rear end of the said bar traveling on the said friction-roller, the bar being provided at its under side with spaced notches, an arm depending from the bar, between the said bearings and connected by a link with the hinged chair-back, a spring coiled on the bar and abutting with one end on the rear bearing and at its forward end on the said arm, to press the bar in a forward direction, a catch mounted to slide vertically in the forward bearing and having a lug at its bottom for engaging one of the notches in the said bar, a spring interposed between the bottom of the bearing and the bottom of the catch, and a button pivotally connected with the said catch, at the top thereof,.and fitted to slide in a bearing in the arm-rest, the top of the button extending above the top face of the arm-rest, as set forth.

8. An operating mechanism for the back of a recliningchair, comprising bearings on the under side of the arm-rests for the chair, the rear bearin carrying a friction-roller in its bottom and the forward bearing carrying a transverse pin, a bar having an elongated slot in its forward end, through which extends the said pin, the rear end of the said bar traveling on the said friction-roller, the bar being provided at its under side with spaced notches, an arm depending from the bar, between the said bearings and connected by a link with the hinged chair-back, a spring coiled on the bar and abutting with one end on the rear bearing and at its forward end on the said arm, to press the bar in a forward direction, a catch mounted to slide vertically in the forward bearing and having a lug at its bottom for engaging one of the notches in the said bar, a spring interposed between the bottom of the bearing and the bottom of the catch, and a button pivotally connected with the said catch, at the top thereof, and fitted to slide in a bearing in the arm-rest,the top of the button extending above the top face of the arm-rest, and the said button being vertically adjustable, to suit different thicknesses of armrests, as set forth.

9. An operating mechanism for the hinged back of a reclining-chair, comprising a longitudinally-movable notched bar arranged lengthwise beneath the arm-rest of the chair, the said bar being provided with an elongated slot at one end, a connection between said bar and the back of the chair, a fixed pin extending through the slot in the end of the bar, a support on which the other end of the bar is mounted to travel, a spring pressing the bar in a forward direction, a catch having a vertical elongated slot through which extends the said fixed pin, and a spring for normally holding said catch in engagement with the notched bar.

10. An operating mechanism for the hinged back of a reclining-chair, comprising a notched bar extending longitudinally on the under side of the arm-rest of the chair, the said bar having an elongated slot in its forward end, a link connecting said bar with the back of the chair, a "fixed pin extending through said slot, a support on which the rear end of the bar travels, a spring pressing the bar in a forward direction, a catch hav ing a vertical elongated slot through which extends the said fixed pin, a spring for nor-' mally holding the catch in an uppermost position, the said catch having a lug at its bot tom for engaging one of the notches in the said bar, and a button on the catch extending to the top face of the arm-rest near the forward end thereof, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. 7

JOHN LANDAU.

Witnesses TI-iEo. G. HOSTER, J No. M. BITTER. 

